Collapsible egg-crate.



W. M. WAY.

GOLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.3,1913.

1,127,3%8, Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

V 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. M. WAY.

COLLAPSIBLE EGG CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.3,1913. LEQZSS, Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

K3 2 SHEETS-$HIBET 2.

annex V1207 0', WASHINGTON D. C.

WALTER- IVI. WAY, OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

. COLLAPSIBLE EGG-CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Application filed November 3, 1913. Serial No. 798,966.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WALTER M. WAY, a citizenof the United States, residing at Tacoma, in the county of Pierce andState of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Collapsible Eg Crates, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to crates or cases for the shipment ofcommodities such as eggs and the like, more particularly to devices ofthis character adapted to be collapsed for return shipment, and has forone, of its objects to improve the construction; utility of efficiencyand and increase the devices of this character.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simply constructeddevice in which the parts are arranged to effectually support each otherwhen distended and the body portion of the device foldable with theparts substantially in parallel relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterin which provision is made for retaining the collapsible egg dividingpockets between the partsv when folded.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in certainnovel features of construction as hereinafter shown and described andthen specifically pointed out in the claims, and in the drawingsillustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved device in its closedposition. Fig. 2 is a perspective view with the closure in open positionto show the interior arrangement. Fig. 3 is a perspective View with theparts in collapsed position. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view. Fig.5 is a longitudinal sectional view with the parts folded. Fig. 6 is aperspective view on a reduced scale, of the removable partition.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

The improved device may be constructed of any suitable material and anydesired size or capacity, and employed for shipping any of the variouscommodities or products such as eggs, fruit and the like, but isdesigned more particularly for shipping eggs and like products, andincludes a back 10,

at 23: to the a partition 27 which bottom and hinged a front 11 and ends1213; Hinges 14 are apphed externally of the end 12 and back 10, whilehinges 15 are applied internally of theback 10 and end 13. Hinges 16 areapplied internally of the end 12 and the front 11, while hinges 17 areapplied externally of the end 13 and the front 11. By this means theback, front and ends are collapsible into parallel relation as shown inFigs. 3 and 5.

Connected to the back member 10, preferably atits lower edge, is aninwardly directed cleat 18, while a similar cleat 19 is connected to thefront 11 preferably near its lower edge. The cleats are arrangedintermediate the ends of the front and back as shown, the object to behereafter explained. The bottom of the casing is represented at 20 andfits within the front back and ends when the latter are in open positionand rests upon the cleats 18-19. At two diagonally opposite corners thebottom 20 is cut away slightly, to enable the bottom to pass the innerhinges 15-16 when inserted. A closure 22 is hingedly united back 10 andprovided with a hasp 24, while a staple 25 is connected to the front 11in position to engage the hasp to enable the top to be locked inposition. Hingedly united at 26 to the bottom 20 is extends transverselywithin the casing when the latter is in open position and the bottom 2@located therein. By this means the interior of the casing is dividedinto two separate and independent compartments to receive collapsibleegg supporting pockets indicated conventionally at 30 and their dividingmembers 31. The closure 22 is provided with an aperture 28 while thepartition 27 is provided with a projection 29 which extends through theaperture 28 when the member 22 is closed. By this means the partition isfirmly supported and held at its free edge and prevented fromdisplacement so long as the closure is in position.

When the improved device is to be collapsed the closure 22 is releasedand opened and turned into parallel relation with the back 10. Theegg-supporting members 30-3l are then removed and the members 30collapsed. The bottom 20 is then removed and the partition 27, which hasbeen released by the opening of the closure 22, folded down fiatwiseupon the bottom. This leaves the front, back and ends free to supportingmembers 80 when collapsed be collapsed substantially into parallel re 7lation as represented in Figs. 3 and 5. As before stated the cleats18-19 extend only a part of the way along the front and back 1011 sothat when the device is collapsed the cleat 18 will be disposed betweenthe members 10 and the members 11 and 13, while the cleat 19 will bedisposed between the members 11 and the members 10 and 12, and thuslocated end to end betweenthe collapsed members, as shown 'in' Fig. 5.This leaves a space betweenthe collapsed members'equal to 'the'thicknessof the cleats and this space is utilized to hold the egg and thedividing plates or members 31. p The bottom 20 with its partition 27folded there on is then located upon the front 11 and end 13, or laidupon the inner face'of the closure 22, as may be preferred. By thissimple means the case or crate is in condition for shipment or'sto'rageand can be quickly disposed in operative or open shape when required.The egg holding devices 30 3l are retained in position and preventedfrom displacement or loss during their return shipment. The inwardlyprojecting cleats"1819 thus perform'thetwo-fold function ofsupports forthe bottom and "as means for retaining-the -egg holding devices inposition and preventing loss or displace ment during their returnshipment. The

ends 12-13 are provided with hand grip recesses 32, as shown.

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

' l. Kde v'ice of the class described comprising front back and endmembers hingedly nited to fold into parallel'relation, a top hinged tooneof said hingedly united members and provided with a seat, inwardlydirected cleats connected to said 'hingedly united members at theirlower edges, a bottomsupportedupon said cleats, and a partiti on memberhingedly united to said bottom and r'duce'd atthe upper end to engagethe seatof said top.

2. A 'device of the class described comprising a casing including frontback and end members hingedly united to fold into parallel relationyatop hinged to one of said hingedly united members and provided withatrari's'verse slot, a bottom detachably supported within said casing,and a partition memberunited to'said bo'ttom and with the interediateporti'on eXtending beyond the body of the partition to engage in theslot 'ofthe top." I

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

i "WALTER M. WAY. [L. s]

Witnesses: v

J. STEWART,

wry.

co ies of this patent may be obtained for five cents sac-11,113;addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- 'wasnm ton,n.'c."

